The best restaurants in NYC's Chelsea

What is it? Marcus Samuelsson's seafairing restaurant tells the story of fusion and freedom.  

Why we love it: Hav & Mar reflects Marcus Samuelsson’s heritage, from the food it serves down to the name itself (“hav” translates to “ocean” in Swedish, while “mar” is Amharic for “honey,” the official language of Ethiopia). In an oceanic inspired dining room where black mermaids swim on the walls, executive chef Fariyal Abdullahi carries the tale forward with bread baskets filled with teff biscuits and injera bread and wonderful selections from the sea, from berbere-rubbed salmon to delicate filets of snapper, steamed in banana leaves. 

Time Out tip: Behind the bar you can find the Nordic spirit Aquavit. We recommend trying it in a single shot before jumping into a full highball.  

Address: 245 11th Avenue, New York, NY 10001

Hours: Daily 5-10pm

What is it? Ayesha Nurdjaja’s neighborhood home for Middle Eastern cuisine.  

Why we love it: Chef and partner Ayesha Nurdjaja’s follow-up to the wildly popular Shuka in Soho opened in July of 2021, making it to our list of that year's best restaurants. Still just as buzzy as the original, tables are still just as hard to come by, but you can still grab a spot outside of primetime hours to dig into flatbreads and pitas for ripping and joojeh chicken and steak kebab for the sharing. 

Time Out tip: Dips are a cornerstone of the menu here, the Labneh and the nicely smoked artic char being one of our favorites. 

Address: 230 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10001

Hours: Daily 5–11pm

What is it? Alex Raij's mission to bring Spain to West Chelsea is alive and well at Txikito. 

Why we love it: Pronounced “chi-KEE-toe,” Txikito celebrates the small-plate cuisine of the country’s most culturally distinctive—and gastronomically blessed—region. Basque specialties fly with ease from the spicy gilda skewers to the iconic flower of fish that is the octopus carpaccio. 

Time Out tip: Finales here include the purposefully burnt Basque Cheesecake. 

Address: 240 9th Avenue, New York

Hours: Sun-Thurs 5–10pm; Fri and Sat 5–10:30pm

What is it? A Middle Eastern destination "inspired by memories from the homeland."

Why we love it: Qanoon tells the story of Palestinian cookery. Growing up on the West Bank in Palestine, chef Tarek Daka brings the flavors of his childhood to the plate with hand-pressed flatbread, sumac-spiced chickens and Makloubeh, an upside down rice dish with eggplant and shreddy bits of lamb. 

Time Out tip: Daka sources olive oils, olives and za'atar straight from the homeland, ready for your kitchen. Make sure to buy a bottle before you leave.

Address: 180 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

Hours: Mon closed; Wed—Fri 5–10pm; Sat and Sun 10am–3pm and 5–10pm

What is it? A "thoroughly Roman" bakery and eater, 30 plus years in the game.

Why we love it: What started as a singular bakery in Soho in 1994, Sullivan Street Bakery has become a NYC institution. The Chelsea location carries the mission of spreading "love and loaves around the world" with a glass case full of chocolate, cream, or jam bomboloni, square pizza slices and all manner of sandwiches. Casual seats are available inside and out. 

Time Out tip: While the classics are always on hand, the bombolini flavors rotate with the season. Peek behind the counter to see what's available. 

Address: 236 9th Avenue, New York 

Hours: Daily 8am–7pm

What is it? The OG taco stand in Chelsea Market.

Why we love it: Three friends decided they wanted to bring Tijuana-style tacos to New York City in 2013, and we've been all the better for it. Now, Los Tacos No. 1 has several taquerias in the city, receiving mini-chain status with locations in Wall Street, Hudson Yards and Times Square. But there's nothing like checking out where it all started, right? So next time your out-of-towner friends force a pitstop at the sprawling Chelsea Market, pull over for an order of tacos, quesadillas and aguas frescas.

Time Out tip: If things are too busy here, as they often are, peep the hallway to the left of the line. There, you'll find fish tacos and aguachiles from the restaurant's sister concept, Los Mariscos. 

Address: Inside Chelsea Market; 75 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

Hours: Sun 11am–9pm; Mon–Sat 11am–10pm

What is it? A Burmese eatery that found a second life in Manhattan. 

Why we love it? While the original Brooklyn location that shot to notoriety quietly closed its doors last year, we are happy to report the Chelsea location is still alive and well, ready to feed us Burmese disco fries, fried chicken and grilled lemongrass pork meatball skewers. The large plates are just as special with cinnamon chicken curry, tea leaf fried rice and oodles of noodles. 

Time Out tip: Desserts include the Burmese Style Faloodao, a sweetened rose drink with tapioca, agar jelly and basil seeds. 

Address: 158 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

Hours: Mon–Wed 5–10pm; Thurs–Fri 5–10:30pm; Sat 11am–10:30pm; Sun 11am–9pm

What is it? A French American bistro found inside the Hotel Chelsea

Why we love it: This Art deco-style restaurant is both a find for hotel guests and those who happen to wander inside. Mornings can be satisfied with Croque Madame's and eggs covered in hollandaise, while lunch brings seafood on ice, tartines and salads. Dinner is just as pleasant with steak frites and half rotisseries chickens for the choosing. 

Time Out tip: The Ravioles du Dauphiné is made fresh, filled with dollops of comté cheese before being showered in a layer of, you guessed it, more cheese. 

Address: 218 W 23rd Street, New York, NY 10011

Hours: Breakfast Mon—Fri 7–11am, Sat and Sun 7–10:30am; Lunch Mon–Fri 11am–3:30pm; Brunch Sat and Sun 10:30am–3:30pm; Midday 3:30–5pm; Dinner Sun–Wed 5–11pm, Thurs–Sat 5pm–midnight 

What is it? A landmark steakhouse that dates all the way back to 1868. 

Why we love it: When it’s steak you seek, head to Old Homestead, one of the best steakhouses in NYC with a mood to match. First opened in 1868, it’s certainly seen a few updates, but it still has a little bit of an Old New York feeling, with tufted leather banquettes and a fine selection of steaks, chops and classic apps like crab cakes and oysters Rockefeller. 

Time Out tip: No surprise, their burgers are just as nice. Choose between a kobe, filet mignon or a pepper slab bacon patty. 

Address: 56 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

Hours: Mon closed; Tue–Fri 5–9pm; Sat 5–10pm; Sun 4–9pm

What is it? A longstanding eatery that always follows the seasons. 

Why we love it: Cookshop first opened on 10th Avenue in 2005, and its longevity in the ever-changing area is a testament to its menus and atmosphere. Come by for wide-ranging, seasonally-updated brunch, lunch and dinner items, plus cocktails, wine and beer. 

Time Out tip: If you love espresso martinis, surely you will love their frozen version: the Cold Brew State of Mind. 

Address: 156 10th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

Hours: Lunch Mon–Fri noon–3:30pm; Limited Menu available Mon-Fri 3:30–4:30pm; Dinner Sun and Mon: 4:30–10pm; Tues–Sat 4:30–11pm; Brunch Sat and Sun 10am–3:30pm

What is it? A classic American restaurant that gained notoriety from certain HBO show.  

Why we love it: Although we can’t help but wonder whether this scenestaurant will make it to the Sex and the City reboot, we can always visit to reminisce. Now in its second decade, Carries, Charlottes, Mirandas and Samanthas can still pile in to ponder life’s greatest mysteries over eggs any way, big salads, burgers and four kinds of mac and cheese.

Time Out tip: You guessed it—they have cosmos! Try the Cafeteria Cosmo with Grey Goose and splashes of cranberry and passionfruit. 

Address: 119 7th Avenue, New York, New York 10010

Hours: Sun–Thurs 9am–midnight; Fri-Sat 9am-1am

What is it? An Elmhurst legend for Thai food has a smaller offshoot in this Chelsea market hall. 

Why we love it: We have well praised Elmhurst's Zaab Zaab for its most excellent Thai food. And for the past few years, the Chelsea neighborhood has been able to experience the same thanks to their stall at Pier 57. Yes, the menu is short, but the Som Tum Pla Ra (or Thai papaya salad) with fermented fish sauce can still be had, as the Duck Larb with duck cooked two ways served with a mess of herbs. 

Time Out tip: When the weather's nice, take your food and walk down the hallway toward the back of the building. Reach the elevators and go up to enjoy the rooftop views overlooking the Hudson River and the west side of the city. 

Address: Inside Market 57; 25 11th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

Hours: Daily 11am–8pm

What is it? An all-day neighborhood eatery with five locations in the city, Chelsea included.

Why we like it: Yes, Jack's Wife Freda can be spotted all over the city. But no matter what, each location makes you feel a bit like home. There's Rosewater waffles for breakfast, duck bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches at lunch and chicken schnitzel and a whole branzino for lunch. 

Time Out tip: The eatery launched its own wine, so you can order a bottle of sauvignon blanc, rose or pinot noir for the table while you eat. 

Address: 116 8th Avenue, New York, NY 10011

Hours: Mon–Wed 8:30am–10pm; Thurs–Sat 8:30am–11pm; Sun 8:30am–9pm